More info
Objectives
Binding Study Advice (BSA): additional requirements
Programme
Follow-on master’s programme
Learning Objectives
The Dutch Studies programme trains non-native speakers of Dutch to become experts on the Netherlands and the Dutch language. Students acquire extended knowledge of the language and culture of the Netherlands. They also acquire the ability to tackle theoretical and practical problems in a manner consistent with the practice in this field of study. Most of all, students learn to independently reflect on the literature of the field.
Graduates have acquired a command of Dutch at C1 level for reading and listening skills. For spoken interaction, spoken production and writing, graduates have acquired a B2/C1 level or higher. For more information on these levels, see the descritpion online.
Achievement Levels
A. Knowledge and understanding
Students have:
a) knowledge and understanding of the content and scope of the discipline of Dutch language, culture and society, and thus:
of the systematics, foundation and historical development of the Dutch language;
of the main Dutch writers, works, genres and literary movements;
of the history and art history of the Netherlands;
of aspects of contemporary Dutch culture and society.
b) knowledge and understanding of the key terms and most important instruments, research methods, techniques and theory that are used in the field of Dutch language and culture.
c) further knowledge and insight into either Language or Culture:
Language:
knowledge and understanding of the key terms of Dutch syntax, phonology, morphology, semantics, sociolinguistics and the historical developments of Dutch.
Culture:
knowledge and understanding of a representative body of literary authors, texts and genres and artistic movements from the Middle Ages to the present day and of the most important literary histories, theory and approaches in the field of Dutch Studies;
a global overview of the art history and history of the Netherlands.
B. Applying knowledge and understanding
Students have the ability:
a) to apply acquired knowledge and insights in the discipline of Dutch Language and Culture, and to construct arguments in this context, as well as to undertake problem-solving activities;
b) to use acquired knowledge and insights to form an opinion related to recent topics in the discipline of Dutch Language and Culture, while including relevant academic and, where applicable, social and ethical aspects;
c) to analyse and evaluate scholarly articles and book chapters and to report on this.
d) to apply the knowledge and understanding, either of the most important research questions, methods, theories and findings to the field of linguistics and second language acquisition, or by placing texts and other cultural artifacts, authors, genres and movements in a historical context.
C. Judgement
Students have the ability:
a) using the acquired knowledge and understanding, to independently form a well-reasoned opinion on a topic in the discipline of Dutch language, culture and society that they have not yet covered, including the reflection on relevant scientific and, if applicable, social and ethical issues.
b) to compose a relevant academic research question, either to analyse spoken and written language in a scholarly way, or to analyse and interpret a literary or cultural topic, and to report on this.
D. Communication
Students have the ability:
to explain the knowledge and insights acquired, in clear terms and supported by sound arguments, in a verbal and written report that meets the criteria set by the Dutch Studies discipline.
E. Learning Skills
Students have:
a) the ability to be self-critical, in particular the ability to put culturally instilled attitudes into perspective and to reflect on that;
b) the ability to work both individually and in a group on assignments (including peer-review), that is: to plan and work result-oriented;
c) the learning skills that are required to follow a relevant master’s programme.
**Reference Propedeuse Bachelor’s **
| Skill |
Propaedeuse |
Bachelor |
| Listening |
B2 |
C1 |
| Reading |
B2 |
C1 |
| Spoken interaction |
B1 |
B2/C1 |
| Spoken production |
B1 |
B2/C1 |
| Writing |
B1 |
B2/C1 |
Furthermore, each Humanities programme at Leiden University trains the students in general academic skills formulated by the Faculty.
Binding Study Advice (BSA): additional requirements
Besides the general requirements students also have to complete the course The Netherlands in Dutch Feature Films to obtain the positive binding study advice.
Programme
General
The focus of the Bachelor’s programme in Dutch Studies lies on Dutch language and culture. The first (propedeuse) and the second year of the Bachelor’s programme consist of compulsory courses. English will be used as the language of instruction only in the first semester of the first year, except for the Philosophy of Science course held in the second term of the first year. In the third year, there is room for subsidiary subjects worth a total of 30 EC-credits, 15 EC-credits per semester.
First and second year
Teaching in the first two years concentrates on language acquisition: language acquisition courses represent half the credits in the first year and one third of the credits in the second year. In the first two years, special attention is also paid to the study of language from a scientific perspective. In addition, the first year includes courses like Dutch Debates, Dutch Painting and Dutch Culture and Society and Dutch Linguistics, while the second year includes introductions to Literature and History. There is also a course on prose and poetry analysis and on theory on second language acquisition. From the first year onwards, students are trained in research methods and techniques. In the second term of the second year students need to choose their specialization: culture or linguistics.
Third year
The third year consists of advanced language training. An important part of the third year is a minor and a specialization in-depth modules on culture (literature) and linguistics. Students are also required to write a Bachelor’s Thesis Dutch Studies worth 10 EC-credits and follow a Thesis seminar.
Discretionary space
In addition to the main subjects and in-depth specialization courses, the third year offers students room for subsidiary subjects worth 30 EC-credits. They can choose for a minor, internship or an individual selection of courses. Consult the general information on discretionary space.
Full time of part time
The bachelor programme Dutch Studies is offered as a full time study only.
BA Thesis and requirements for graduation
To graduate, you must have passed the programme of 180 EC, met the requirements for the elective credits and successfully completed your bachelor’s thesis.
The bachelor’s thesis is a paper worth 10 EC. The supervisor then helps you write a thesis proposal, which you submit to the Board of Examiners. The Board of Examiners uses the thesis application form to evaluate your proposal and appoints a second reader. Then you attend a compulsory thesis seminar. For more information, see the course description for the third year.
The regulations and important deadlines for the BA thesis can be found at: student.universiteitleiden.nl/reglementen.
Specializations
Dutch Studies has no official specializations. Students can choose between the Linguistics or Culture track.
Programme specific regulation
Seminar/tutorial attendance is compulsory. You may miss a maximum of two of the 13 meetings per subject (if you have a valid reason and provided you notify the lecturer and the study coordinator before the seminar/tutorial that you will miss). If you have not prepared, do not participate and/or fail to bring the course material for a particular week, this may also count as absence.
If you miss more than two seminars, you must contact the study coordinator. If the study coordinator believes there are special circumstances, they may decide that the maximum two absences do not apply. The study coordinator will consult your lecturer(s) and inform you and your lecturer(s) of their decision.
Follow on master’s programme
The graduates of the bachelor programme Dutch Studies can continue their studies with the Masterprogramme Dutch Studies, specialisation Dutch Language, Culture and Society. Depending on the subjects chosen in their third year, they can also join the specialisation Dutch Modern Literature or Dutch Linguistics.
Bachelor graduates Dutch Studies can also chose to continue their studies at another master, e.g. Literary Studies or Linguistics, after completing a pre-master programme.
More information is available online.
Career Preparation
(a.) Labour market preparation in the Bachelor Dutch Studies
In addition to offering you a solid university education, Leiden University aims to prepare you as well as possible for the labour market, and in doing so contribute to the development of your employability. In this way, it will become easier for you to make the transition to the labour market, to remain employable in a dynamic labour market, in a (career) job that suits your own personal values, preferences and development.
'Employability' consists of the following aspects that you will develop within your study programme, among others:
1. Discipline-specific knowledge and skills
Knowledge and skills specific to your study programme.
2. Shared transferable skills
These are skills that are relevant to every student and that you can use in all kinds of jobs irrespective of your study programme, for example:
researching, analysing, project-based working, generating solutions, digital skills, collaborating, oral communication, written communication, presenting, societal awareness, independent learning, resilience.
3. Self-reflection
This concerns self-reflection in the context of your (study) career, including reflecting on the choices you make as a student during your studies, what can you do with your knowledge and skills on the labour market?
In addition, reflecting on your own profile and your personal and professional development. Who are you, what can you do well, what do you find interesting, what suits you, what do you find important, what do you want to do?
4. Practical experience
Gaining practical experience through work placements, projects, practical (social) assignments, which are integrated into an elective, minor or graduation assignment.
5. Labour market orientation
Gaining insight into the labour market, fields of work, jobs and career paths through, for example, guest speakers and alumni experiences in the field, career events within the study programme, the use of the alumni mentor network, speaking with people in the field, and walking along/visiting companies in the context of a particular subject.
(b.) Employability in Bachelor Dutch Studies
In the program Dutch Studies, you will also find these employability elements. Examples of courses and meetings where this is addressed include:
First year:
Intruductory intervieuw with the study advisor
Information session by the study advisor about the second year, the study plan, and a look into the future
Second year:
Information session by the study advisor about the elective space, internships, and specializations in the third year
Third year:
Information session by the study advisor about graduation and the further study and career options
Discipline-specific knowledge and skills:
All language acquisition courses
Culture and Society of the Netherlands
Dutch Debates
Introduction to the Dutch Linguistics
Dutch History 1 and 2
Dutch Literature 1 and 2
Obstacles in Learning Dutch as a Second language
Fifteen Centuries of the Dutch Language
Shared transferable skills:
Dutch Debates
Culture and Society of the Netherlands
Analysis of the Neteherlands in Dutch Feature Films
Oral Presentations About the Language
Writing about Culture
Writing about Language
Dutch History 1 and 2
Academic Reading and Writing
BA-Thesis
Self-reflection
Practical experience
- Elective space for the students who do an internship
Labour market orientation
- Obstacles in Learning Dutch as a Second language
(c.) Activities to prepare for the labour market alongside / outside the curriculum
Every year, various activities take place, within, alongside and outside of your study programme, which contribute to your preparation for the labour market, especially where it concerns orientation towards the work field/the labour market, (career) skills and self-reflection. These activities could be hosted by your study program to discuss the key decision stages within your program but also career workshops and events organised by the Humanities Career service or your study association.
For example:
(d.) Humanities Career Service, LU Career Zone and career workshops calendar
Humanities Career Service
The Humanities Career Service offers information and advice on internships, study (re)orientation and master's choice, orientation on the labour market and careers.
Leiden University Career Zone
Leiden University Career Zone is the website for students and alumni of Leiden University to support their (study) career. You can find advice, information, (career) tests and tools in the area of (study) career planning, career possibilities with your study, job market orientation, job applications, the Alumni Mentor network, job portal, workshops and events and career services.
Workshops and events
On the Workshop calendar you will find an overview of career and application workshops, organised by the Humanities career Service.
